Originally Posted by islandwoman120 (Post 10752280)

See my previous post, #7493 in answer to your question on this very topic: 'When I came back almost 3 years ago, I brought travellers checks with me and the bank in the US had to raid their supplies - some of the checks were very, very old! I took them to Thomas Cook at the first opportunity and had them exchanged and put on a GBP card, then I used that to pay for whatever I wanted to - one set of charges, one exchange rate instead of going place to place to find a deal. You need a photo ID to get the card, such as your passport, and the card is not linked to your bank account. You can also change travellers checks at a Post Office - they do not charge commission for doing that, but do not, to the best of my knowledge, offer the same Cash Card scheme as Thomas Cooks.
http://www.whichwaytopay.com/compare...ds-summary.asp
I am not advocating the use of any of these cards, as my only experience is with the one I bought from Thomas Cook.
http://www.thomascook.com/travel-mon...el-money-card/

You can also check your balance at any ATM machine, as well as withdraw cash from an ATM machine using the card.

Happy travelling! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...lies/smile.gif'

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 10752348)

Were your travelers checks from Thomas Cook?

Originally Posted by islandwoman120 (Post 10752378)

No they were from my US bank and I think they were American Express....

Originally Posted by Englishmum (Post 10752190)

Do you mean to bring money as a tourist?

Yes

The most practical way these days is to use an ATM. (I understand that Bank of America account holders pay no charges if they use Barclays Bank ATMs, also they're commonly called 'Cashpoints' in the UK). You will probably see some symbols on the reverse of your ATM card and you will almost certainly spot one of them on the British ATMs. They have ATMs at LHR when you go into the arrivals hall and at all of their terminals to the best of my knowledge.

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I don't know anyone who uses traveller's cheques these days and as far as I know, even American Express now issues a 'pre-loaded' TC card. It's probably only worthwhile if one doesn't have a bank account.

Besides the dollar losing value in the last week we also have to pay different fees. Foreign exchange fee 3%, cashpoint fee and the the exchange rate they use can be different than market rate.

We quit BofA several month ago after they took money out of our account. So no good there.
I can get travelers checks but will I lose money when I cash them?

I agree that the Atm is a good way but I'm gun shy after our experience of the bank raiding our account. See Cyprus isn't the only ones that had it happen to them.:thumbdown:

Originally Posted by coastieexpat (Post 10752524)

When I go back I don't bother with cash, usually I just take nylons and chocolate :)

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10753298)

Rodney, aren't you responsible for reminding me to buy lottery tickets today?

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 10750768)

I could never remember the poetry we were supposed to learn either.
That and dates in History class, even the teacher said he didn't know how I managed it, but every date I put on a test would be one year or so off. :lol:

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10751151)

I remember my dad's car license plate number, the name of all 30 kids I went through secondary school with (in my class), my first girlfriend's phone number, the formula for a standard deviation (theoretical and computational) - but damned if I can remember what I had for breakfast this morning!

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10753353)

I only remember one date I was taught in history class ---- 1066 battle of hastings :p

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 10753353)

I only remember one date I was taught in history class ---- 1066 battle of hastings :p

Originally Posted by aries (Post 10753738)

The Great Fire of London in 1666 is easy to remember, just one digit from 1066.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10751151)

I remember my dad's car license plate number, the name of all 30 kids I went through secondary school with (in my class), my first girlfriend's phone number, the formula for a standard deviation (theoretical and computational) - but damned if I can remember what I had for breakfast this morning!